Abstract
In order to improve the technical specifications of space reflectors, antennas and other payloads on Earth observation, space communication, deep space exploration and other fields of space applications, people urgently need to enhance the surface shape control accuracy of these large complex curvature flexible structures. Based on the photovoltaic effect and converse piezoelectric effect, this paper presents a non-contact shape-adjusting method which adopts a new space energy conversion: using the PLZT photovoltage, which is controlled by the ultraviolet, to activate the PVDF attached on the flexible structure surface, and adjust and control the structure's shape. This paper firstly built up the electric model of the PLZT/PVDF hybrid drive, derived the constitutive relation of light-electric-mechanical energy field conversion, and determined the key parameters in mathematical model by principle experiments. Then, taking a flexible cantilever beam as the control object, actuation equation of the PVDF bonded structure was built, and actuation properties and influence factors of the cantilever beam actuated by the PLZT/PVDF hybrid drive were simulated and analyzed. After that, the hybrid drive experiment system was built up, and deflecting effect of using ultraviolet illuminated PLZT to actuate PVDF bonded cantilever beam was tested, whose result verified the validity of theoretical modeling and simulation analysis. Lastly, characteristics of the hybrid drive method and conventional PVDF driving were compared, and space application direction of this method was pointed out.